Seizure Disorders in Pregnancy

Seizure disorders may impair fertility. But certain anticonvulsants may make oral contraceptives less effective, resulting in unintentional pregnancy.

The dose of anticonvulsant drugs may have to be increased during pregnancy to maintain therapeutic levels. If women get enough sleep and anticonvulsant levels are kept in the therapeutic range, seizure frequency does not usually increase during pregnancy, and pregnancy outcome is good; however, risks of preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and stillbirth are slightly increased. Generally, uncontrolled seizures are more harmful during pregnancy than is use of anticonvulsants; thus, the top priority of treatment during pregnancy is to control seizures. Preconception consultation with a neurologist is recommended to stabilize maternal seizures before pregnancy. Clinicians should use the lowest possible dose of anticonvulsants and as few different anticonvulsants as possible.

Congenital malformations are more frequent in the fetuses of women with a seizure disorder (6 to 8%) than in fetuses of women in the general population (2 to 3%). Risk of intellectual disability may also be increased. These risks may be related to the seizure disorder as well as anticonvulsant use. Risk of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (erythroblastosis neonatorum) may be increased by in utero exposure to certain anticonvulsants (eg, phenytoinSome Brand NamesDILANTINClick for Drug Monograph, carbamazepineSome Brand NamesTEGRETOLClick for Drug Monograph, phenobarbitalSome Brand NamesNo US brand nameClick for Drug Monograph); however, if prenatal vitamins with vitamin D are taken and vitamin K is given to the neonate, hemorrhagic disease is rare.

All anticonvulsants increase the need for supplemental folate; 4 mg po is given once/day. Ideally, it is started before conception.

Vaginal delivery is usually preferred, but if women have repeated seizures during labor, cesarean delivery is indicated. Anticonvulsant levels can rapidly change postpartum and should be closely monitored then.